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Once again it is time to take a comprehensive look at the activities of our Association, to reflect on the way our resources have been used and to analyse if our future work can be improved. As usual, we would like to do this with passion, honesty and transparency.

One year we had presented our five year Strategic and Operational Plans for the period 2006-2010. There were lot of expectations linked to this whole exercise and we take note that its implementation has started a little slowly and there have been some uncertainties regarding some of the priority objectives, especially those linked to increase in funds and improvements in the efficiency and efficacy of our offices.

Keeping these issues in mind, Board of Directors have taken the decision to change from a Director’s office composed of three persons to the nomination of one Director. This has been an important change that required lot of adjustments and complementary changes among the roles of different offices and personnel. Some of our personnel decided to leave us. All these changes reflect in our General Balance that shows decrease in funds collection and in contributions to projects in the developing countries during 2006. Our contributions for the projects depended largely on our own fund-collection while the contributions received from public funds such as European Union and Italian Foreign Ministry remained limited. Therefore, the challenges in front of us remain big. The logic imposes us to be cautious, yet in our endeavours to face these challenges we are resolutely optimistic. In terms of the impact of our activities and the quality of our work, AIFO continued to be an organisation that is respected nationally and internationally. For example, during 2006, our international collaborations included the following:

♦ Our relationship and joint activities with the Wold Health Organisation (WHO), especially with the Disability & Rehabilitation team (DAR) was further reinforced with the starting of a multi-country joint action-research initiative called “New Paradigm of Medical Care for Persons with Disabilities”.

♦ AIFO continued to play an active role in the International Anti-leprosy Federation (ILEP), where it coordinated the supply of learning material on leprosy to Portuguese speaking Africa.

♦ In collaboration with Italian Foreign Ministry, three Italian non-governmental organisations, Peoples’ Health Movement and International Peoples’ Health University, AIFO organised the South Asian conference on role of Traditional Medicine for reaching the goal of Health for All.

♦ AIFO coordinated the task group on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) in the International Disability & Development Consortium (IDDC).

AIFO wishes to a fully self-aware and active agent of change for a just and humane society in the developed and the developing world. As Raoul Follereau had said: “don’t ask me, what can I do with all my limits? A drop of water falling down raises up the level of the sea, let us be that drop of water.” On behalf of the Board of Directors of AIFO, my best wishes to all of you.

Dr. Francesco Colizzi President, Board of Directors

Index

AIFO in developing countries p. 3 AIFO activities in Italy p. 15 Annual Balance 2006 p. 21

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1. ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE ITALY, MAINLY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 1.1. PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

1.1.1. SECTORS OF INTERVENTION OF AIFO

During 2006, AIFO supported projects in developing countries in three main sectors:

- Leprosy & primary health care; - Rehabilitation (physical, mental, socio-economic); - Vulnerable children.

All the project support of AIFO follow a five years’ Strategic Plan (2006-2010) approved by the General Assembly of AIFO in December 2005. On the basis of this Strategic Plan a five years’ operational plan has also been prepared that will guide the development of future actions of AIFO.

During 2006 AIFO supported 128 projects in 25 countries.

Table 1. AIFO Projects 2006

Projects sub-divided according to sector of intervention

No. of Projects

Leprosy & Primary health care projects 63 Rehabilitation projects 37 Projects with vulnerable children 23 Total 123

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Management projects 5 Total Projects in 2006 128

To these we can add another 15 projects supported through other member associations of ILEP (International Anti-leprosy Federation) for a total of 143 projects in 28 countries.

* Leprosy control and primary health care

Projects dealing with leprosy affected persons including leprosy control, remain a priority for AIFO. According to WHO, At the beginning of 2006 there were 222,562 cases of leprosy registered for treatment, while during 2005, a total of 299,036 new cases of leprosy were diagnosed. Table 2. Situation of leprosy in the world (2005)* REGION Cases registered for

treatment at end of 2005 (31/12/2005)

New cases diagnosed in 2005

AFRICA

43,560 45,179

AMERICAS

32,910 41,952

EAST MEDITERRANEAN

4,024 3,133

SOUTH EAST ASIA

133,422 201,635

WEST PACIFIC

8,646 7,137

WORLD

222,562 299,036

* WHO Data, 2006 - Excluding Europe.

Along with leprosy control activities, AIFO promotes integration of leprosy-treatment in the primary health care services as well as activities for physical and social rehabilitation of leprosy affected persons (table 3).

Table 3. Leprosy-Primary Health Care projects supported by AIFO in 2006 AFRICA ANGOLA CHIULO CAPO VERDE CASA BETANIA KANGOLA GHANA PROGRAMME PN LUANDA BURULI SAURIMO GUINEA BISSAU PROGRAMME PN KENIA PROGRAMME PN MOZAMBIQUE INHAMBANE KADEM MANICA DEMOCRATIC ITURI NAMPULA

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REP. OF CONGO PROVINCE KIMBAU NAMPULA NGO COMORES POMONI PROGRAMME PN ERITREA DIGSA SUDAN RUMBEK SOUTH AMERICA BRAZIL ACRE STE CERES IMPERATRIZ BAHIA STE COLONIA DO

PRATA MORHAN BAHIA

CAXIAS GOIAS STE PARA STE PORTO NACIONAL PORTO VELHO SANTA MARTA ASIA BANGLADESH KHULNA CHINA YUNNAN YNCDC INDIA ANGUL MDT BHALKI GANJAM MDT KARNATAKA MDT BIRBHUM MDT GUDIVADA BAREILLY MDT BOUDH MDT KOLLAPUR BELLARY CHITTOOR MDT MANDYA KOPPAL MDT COCHIN MEERUT MDT MORADABAD MDT SHAHAJAHANPUR

MDT SUMANAHALLI

NIDADAVOLE SHANTA JEEVA JYOTHI

WARANGAL

RAICHUR BAGALKOT MDT

ST. CATALD

SAMBALPUR MDT SUDARGARH MDT INDONESIA NAOB REHAB MYANMAR LOILEM NONG KANG ST. THERESA In the leprosy projects, AIFO places special attention towards building of organisations of persons affected with leprosy, helping in creating links between these organisations and IDEA International. * REHABILITATION (physical, mental, socio-economic)

The second sector of intervention for AIFO, rehabilitation of persons with physical and mental disabilities, continues to develop new projects, especially based on community-based approaches. Table 4 presents the rehabilitation projects supported by AIFO.

Table 4. Rehabilitation projects

AFRICA ANGOLA FUNDA EGYPT ALEXANDRIA CBR ERITREA NATIONAL CBR GHANA CHF PROJECT KENYA KOROGOCHO CBR LIBERIA MONROVIA-CBR SOMALIA SOMALILAND CBR SOUTH AMERICA BRAZIL CRER GOIANIA LAGO DE ALEXIO COMPENSA MST SANTAREM CBR YANOMAMI

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MATURACA GUYANA NATIONAL CBR ASIA BANGLADESH CHITTAGONG CBR CHINA YUNNAN HANDA INDIA ASSAM CHANDPUR JAGRUTY MALAVALLI MANGALAGIRI MUDHOL KJES NCPEDP TASH MUMBAI WE CARE SIMDEGA INDONESIA ACEH CBR WEST SUMATRA SOUTH SULAWESI PPCI DPO LAOS CBR MONGOLIA NATIONAL CBR NEPAL WATCH NATIONAL

FEDERATION DPO PAKISTAN PESHAWAR CBR VIETNAM CBR AIFO promotes the community-based rehabilitation approach in its projects. A “Twin-track” strategy is used that aims for mainstreaming in to existing services and activities on one hand, and disability-specific activities on the other hand. This means working together with existing institutions as well civil society organisations. * Vulnerable children projects For more than a decade, AIFO has been promoting projects focusing on children in specific situations of vulnerability and risk (23 projects). The general framework for support to vulnerable children projects includes the following strategies:

• Only in areas where AIFO is already present with leprosy, primary health care and disability related activities.

• Promoting development and rehabilitation based approaches in these projects. • Identification of projects using specific innovative and significant approaches for

larger and multi-year support. Table 5. AIFO – Vulnerable children projects in 2006

AFRICA LATIN AMERICA ASIA KENIA – KADEM BRAZIL - AMARALINA

(BAHIA) CHINA - YUNNAN HANDA

DEM. REP. OF CONGO - GOMA - KIMBAU

BRAZIL - CAXIAS (MARANHÃO)

INDIA – SILCHAR - ASSAM

COMORES ISLANDS POMONI

BRAZIL - CERES (GOIAS) INDIA - BANGALORE (KARNATAKA)

BRAZIL - GOIÀS VELHO (GOIÀS)

INDIA - BHALKI (KARNATAKA)

BRAZIL - IMPERATRIZ (MARANHÃO)

INDIA - BIDAR (KARNATAKA)

BRAZIL - LAGO DO ALEIXO (AMAZONAS)

INDIA - CHAINPUR (BIHAR)

BRAZIL - PORTO INDIA - COCHIN (KERALA)

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NACIONAL (TOCANTINS) BRAZIL - YANOMAMI ST

ISABEL (AMAZONAS) INDIA - DINDIGUL (TAMIL NADU)

INDIA - LUCKNOW (UTTAR PRADESH)

INDIA - NAYEE ASHA (UTTAR PRADESH)

INDIA - WARANGAL (A. P.)

1.1.2. CO-FUNDED PROJECTS

* Projects that finished in 2006 & On-going Projects Table 6. Co-funded Projects – On-going & those that finished in 2006 Project (Country & Sector of Intervention)

Funding body Consortium partners

Duration Yrs

Starting year

MOZAMBIQUE NAMPULA Primary health care incl. leprosy On-going AID 7673/AIFO/MOZ

DGCS– Italian Foreign Ministry

- 3 2004

CHINA YUNNAN Leprosy control & SER On-going AID 7870/AIFO/CHN

DGCS– Italian Foreign Ministry

-

3 2006

NEPAL Community development, gender, PHC, CBR Ended in march 2006

European Union EuropeAid - Ex B7-6000

GLRA & SF

3 2003

SUDAN RUMBEK Primary Health Care Ended in June 2006

Italian Episcopal conference

- 3 2002

BANGLADESH KHULNA Leprosy Ended on 31.12.2006

Italian Episcopal conference

- 3 2004

INDIA ASSAM Community development, PHC, CBR Ended on 31.12.2006

Italian Episcopal conference

- 3 2004

POMONI – COMORES ISLANDS Primary Health Care On-going

Italian Episcopal conference

- 3 2005

Eritrea DIGSA (Only for conformity) AID 8070/AIFO/ERT

DGCS– Italian Foreign Ministry

AMI 2 2006

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MONGOLIA Community Based Rehabilitation On-going

UNeable (United Nations)

- 1 2006

GUINEA BISSAU Leprosy & Tuberculosis On-going

Luxembourg Foreign Ministry (Through FL)

FL 3 2006

MOZAMBIQUE Leprosy NP & Nampula Primary Health Care On-going

Luxembourg Foreign Ministry (Through FL)

FL 3 2006

GHANA Leprosy PN & Buruli ulcer On-going

Luxembourg Foreign Ministry (Through FL)

FL 3 2006

* New Projects presented for co-funding, awaiting response At present, only one project (Community-based rehabilitation in Vietnam) presented to DGCS – Italian Foreign Ministry is awaiting an answer about approval of funding. Through local bodies at municipal, commune, provincial and regional levels, 28 co-funding approvals were received, mostly through AIFO local groups/member organisations. 1.2. EMERGENCY PROJECTS During 2006 two emergency projects with public co-funding were completed. Both projects were in areas affected by tsunami:

• Aceh province/Indonesia “Disability and Emergency” project co-funded by DGCS – Italian Foreign Ministry through Task Force Indonesia Tsunami, started 16.08.05, completed on 16.03.06.

• Pidie district and Aceh Bedar district/Indonesia, emergency project co-funded by ECHO (AS/BUD/2005/02065 – File agreement: 05.11093), starting 13.10.05, completed on 12.06.06.

In addition, during 2006, AIFO also managed two additional emergency projects from its own private resources:

• Gudivada – Andhra Pradesh/India, emergency project in coastal areas affected by tsunami (on-going)

• North-West Frontier province/Pakistan, emergency project for persons affected the earthquake (On-going).

1.3. PERSONNEL IN AIFO PROJECTS During 2006, the following personnel was working in AIFO supported projects (the list includes only the personnel having a direct contract with AIFO/Italy):

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* Three Regional Coordination offices of AIFO

• Goiânia (Goiàs), Brazil, Coordinator: Ms. Deolinda Bitencourt de Santana • Bangalore (Karnataka), India, Coordinator: Mr. Jose Manikkathan Varghese • Maputo, Mozambique, Coordinator: Mr. Massimo Tomaselli, Administrator Ms.

Caroline Valay up to 30/06/2006.

* Four Country Representative offices of AIFO

• Bissau, Guinea Bissau. Representative Dr Wolfgang Hippke, Consultant for rehabilitation: Ms. Maria Jane Campalo, (both completed on 31/12/2006).

• Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Representative: Ms. Rosa Fornabaio (also coordinator for the emergency project in Aceh co-funded by Italian Foreign Ministry (up to 2/04/2006).

• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Representative: Ms. Tulgamaa Damdinsuren. • Hanoi, for Vietnam & Laos, Representative: Mr Lorenzo Pierdomenico (upto

31/05/2006).

* Five Project Management Offices

• Mozambique - Nampula (Co-funded DGCS-Italian Foreign Ministry – AID 7673/AIFO/MOZ), project coordinator Dr Anna Cattane upto 2/12/2006; Project coordinator Dr Marco Scacchetti from 4/12/06; administrator: Mr Nicola Eugenio Zicari

• China - Yunnan (Co-funded DGCS-Italian Foreign Ministry - AID 7870/AIFO/CHN), project coordinator Dr Davide Olchini.

• Comores Islands – Anjouan island, Pomoni district, AIFO project coordinator: Mr Saverio Grillone

• Ghana – Takoradi, AIFO project coordinator Fr. Giorgio Abram. • Indonesia ECHO Tsunami project PIDIE, project coordinator Mr Christian Olivieri up

to 12/06/2006. 1.4. PROJECT MONITORING & EVALUATION MISSIONS

During 2006, the following monitoring and evaluation missions were carried out by personnel from AIFO/Italy: Table 7. AIFO Monitoring & Evaluation Missions in 2006

MONTH COUNTRY COMMENT

JANUARY Ghana Evaluation of leprosy programme

Indonesia Monitoring emergency projects funded by ECHO e DGCS/IFM

China Starting of project co-funded by DGCS/IFM

FEBRUARY Nepal Final evaluation of EU co-funded project

APRIL

Mozambique

Mid-term evaluation PHC project co-funded by DGCS/IFM & training of physiotherapists for leprosy surgery

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JUNE

Pakistan

Studio di fattibilità progetto emergenza (Post Terremoto)

Brazil

All Projects (26) meeting

JULY

Guyana National Assembly of Guyana CBR Programme

Mongolia

International workshop

Kenya PN

Monitoring of leprosy NP and planning of future activities

R.D. of Congo - Ituri

Project monitoring

AUGUST

Liberia CBR Monitoring of Project co-funded by Lombardy region; feasibility of new project

SEPTEMBER

Mozambique

Monitoring of project co-funded by DGCS/IFM in Nampula

OCTOBER Guyana Impact assessment of 20 years of collaboration

India

South Asian workshop on traditional medicine in consortium with COE, co-funded by Italian Foreign Ministry

DECEMBER

Capo Verde Discussions with Ministry of Health for possible new projects

1.5. SUPPLYING MATERIAL SUPPORT * AIFO Material Warehouse of Bologna

The material Warehouse managed by AIFO is used for collecting and sending medicines, medical materials & equipment, blankets, bandages, learning materials etc. During 2006, three containers with such material were sent to Liberia, Mongolia and Comores islands.

•AIFO Material Warehouse of Villa Adriana – Tivoli (Rome)

This material warehouse is involved in sending postal packages containing collected or bought materials (medicines, medical materials, soaps, bandages, etc.) mainly to health care projects run by religious congregations where AIFO does not provide other support. During 2006, this warehouse sent 559 postal packages. This warehouse run by volunteers based in Tivoli near Rome, closed its collaboration with AIFO at the end of 2006.

1.6. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NGOs (NON-GOVERNMENTAL

ORGANISATIONS)

During 2006, AIFO collaborated with different Italian and international NGOs for projects in developing countries including the following - Raoul Follereau Association Luxembourg

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(FL – for projects in Mozambique, Ghana & Guinea Bissau); Fontilles Fight against leprosy & German Leprosy & TB Relief Organisation (SF/Spain & DAHW/Germany for project in Nepal); Portuguese Association Amigos de Raoul Follereau (APARF – Portugal for projects in Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Brazil); Portuguese Solidarity Organisation Maõs Unidas P. Damião (for projects in Mozambique, Brazil), Disabled Peoples International (DPI for projects in Mongolia & Italy); & Centro Orientamento Educativo (COE/Italy for an international meeting in South Asia). 1.7. OTHER COLLABORATIONS FOR RESEARCH, THESIS AND TRAINING

AIFO collaborates with different organisations and universities for activities related to research, preparation of thesis and training involving AIFO supported projects in developing countries. These activities are coordinated by Medical Support office of AIFO. Some examples of these collaborations include the following: • Collaboration with Italian Society of Medical Students for organising visits of final year students of Bologna university to AIFO supported projects. During 2006, six medical students participated in these visits in India, Kenya and Brazil. • Collaboration with university of Modena and Reggio Emilia and with the Italian Association Physiotherapists Without Borders for visits of physiotherapists and final year physiotherapy students to AIFO supported projects. • Collaboration with NGO network called COONGER of Emilia Romagna region in Italy.

1.8 COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL BODIES AND ORGANISATIONS

AIFO is active in Africa, Asia and Americas. All the project activities are coordinated through a network of alliances and collaborations at international, regional and national levels by working together with other national and international Governmental institutions, bodies, non-governmental organisations and other civil society organisations. The aim of this networking and collaborations are to create synergies, avoid duplications, and promote sustainability. Some of the more significant international partners and collaborators of AIFO are the following:

� World Health Organisation (WHO): WHO is a specialised agency of United Nations concerned with issues dealing with health. AIFO has a long history of collaboration with WHO, especially with the department of Disability and Rehabilitation (WHO/DAR). In collaboration with WHO/DAR, at headquarters level in Geneva, at the regional offices level and at country levels, AIFO has been promoting different actions for improving access of persons with disabilities to health and rehabilitation services. A special interest of this joint collaboration has been promotion of community based rehabilitation programmes in different developing countries. Other areas of collaboration has been in terms of strengthening rehabilitation services in countries, improving implementation of UN Standard Rules for equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, preparation of strategic documents, organisation of regional meetings, etc.

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Apart from WHO/DAR, AIFO has also been collaborating with other departments such as mental health and substance abuse, leprosy, Buruli ulcer, filariasis, Leishmaniosis, etc. Since 1999, AIFO is in official relationship with WHO and WHO/DAR is the focal point of this relationship.

� Peoples’ Health Movement (PHM): PHM brings together federations, networks, organisations and concerned individuals from developed and developing world that are concerned about right to health. PHM started in 2000 when about 1500 persons from 92 countries of the world came together in Savar near Dhaka (Bangladesh) for the first Peoples’ Health Assembly. People’s Charter of Health, a consensus document coming out from this first Assembly is the Manifesto of PHM. Since the beginning AIFO believes in the ideas and aspirations of PHM and has been promoting awareness and action campaigns about PHM in both Italy and internationally, especially in Africa. AIFO regularly organises meetings & workshops on PHM issues. During 2006, one key event organised in collaboration with PHM in South Asia and with International People’s Health University (IPHU) was the meeting on traditional medicine organised in Bangalore (India) in December 2006. AIFO has translated Peoples’ Health Charter in Italian and during 2006 also around 5,000 copies of the Charter were distributed. AIFO is focal point for PHM in Italy.

� International Anti-Leprosy Federation (ILEP): AIFO is a founding member of ILEP and actively participates in all its activities at international level, as well as collaborates with different ILEP member organisations at country level. Till March 2006, Dr Sunil Deepak, head of Medical Support office of AIFO was President of ILEP. From April 2006, onwards Dr Enrico Pupulin from Board of Directors of AIFO is a member of ILEP’s Board. In ILEP, AIFO coordinates the distribution of teaching and learning materials for Portuguese speaking Africa. Around the end of 2005, AIFO had coordinated the Portuguese translation and printing of three ILEP technical guides. In collaboration with other ILEP member organisations, these guides were distributed to Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique in 2006.

� International Consortium on Disability and Development (IDDC): AIFO is a founding member of IDDC in 1995, that was registered as a federation in Brusselles (Belgium) during 2006. IDDC brings together all the major international organisations involved in disability and rehabilitation programmes. One of the significant areas of collaboration under IDDC in 2006, was the implementation of a European Project on mainstreaming of disability in development cooperation. AIFO is implementing the component related to Italy from this project. In addition, Ms. Francesca Ortali from AIFO has been coordinating the task group of IDDC on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) especially in terms of IDDC contribution to development of CBR guidelines by WHO/DAR.

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� Circle of Solidarity Follereau-Damien (CdS): CdS brings together

organisations inspired by life, philosophy and ideas of Raoul Follereau and of Fr. Damien.

� Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI): AIFO has a long standing collaboration

with DPI that represents organisations of persons affected with leprosy. Through its field programmes AIFO promotes formation and strengthening of organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs). For example, in collaboration with DPI and support from United Nations, AIFO organised training workshop for national level DPO in Mongolia in 2006.

AIFO also contributed to the process of approval of the new UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities through IDDC.

� IDEA International: IDEA brings together national organisations of persons

affected with leprosy. As with DPI, AIFO firmly believes that in future programme work of AIFO must be based on strong partnerships with persons whose lives are directly influenced by the disability and by disease. Thus, apart from supporting IDEA at international level, AIFO supports formation and strengthening of IDEA national organisations where it is active. For example, during 2006, AIFO supported and facilitated the meeting of IDEA Mozambique.

� Italian Global Health Watch (OISG): OISG was formed in 2002 and brings

together doctors, university professors, medical students, journalists and other persons concerned about issues of global health. A key aim of OISG is to promote training of medical students on global health and to publish a biannual report. AIFO shares the concerns and philosophy of OISG and supports it by hosting it in its office.

� Italian Society of Hansenology (SIHAN): SIHAN brings together persons

living in Italy who have experience of working with leprosy. In collaboration with SIHAN, AIFO conducts survey of new cases of leprosy discovered in Italy every year. Each year, an average of 6-9 new cases of leprosy are discovered.

1.9 SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES

AIFO has a scientific office also called Medical support office. Some of the more significant activities in terms of scientific research, publications, trainings, etc. include the following:

� Research Programmes: AIFO is managing a multi-country research project in collaboration with WHO, called “New Paradigm of Medical care for Persons with Disability”. Some of the participating projects received funding from WHO/DAR. AIFO follows all the participating projects. A webpage has been created for this initiative: http://www.aifo.it/english/proj/aifo-who/index.htm Other researches supported by AIFO in 2006 included a study on relationship between disability and poverty in Nepal.

� Project support, monitoring and evaluation: This includes organisation of consultancies and training courses for projects (for example, organising capacity

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building training of grassroots organisation Koscobar in Kenya, and organising training of physiotherapists on reconstructive surgery for leprosy in Mozambique). In terms of project monitoring, AIFO uses standard forms for collecting information from all projects (including leprosy forms, TB form, PHC form, CBR form, community development form, children project form, etc.). All the collected information is analysed and feedback is given to project managers in AIFO office as well to partners in the projects about their activities. Formal evaluations are usually limited to projects using significant amount of funds, especially projects receiving public funds from Italian Foreign Ministry and European Commission. Since the projects usually follow a three year planning cycle, the evaluations are done at mid-term (18 months) and at the end (36 months). Evaluations organised in 2007 included mid-term evaluation of Nampula/Mozambique, final evaluation of WATCH/Nepal and impact assessment of Guyana CBR.

� Publications and reports: As coordinator of teaching and learning materials on leprosy for Portuguese speaking Africa, AIFO coordinated translation, publishing and distribution of thee ILEP technical guides (guide1: how to diagnose and treat leprosy, guide 2: how to recognise and treat reactions and, guide 3: making skin smears). Volume 18 of AIFO’s biannual publication called Health Cooperation Papers was prepared on forgotten diseases and was abandoned halfway as it was felt that it taking too long a period to collect all the articles while the articles collected were getting outdated very quickly. It has been decided to block preparation of new books in this series. A report summarising the beneficiaries of different interventions supported by AIFO was prepared. The report based on an international workshop organised in October 2005, on the theme of “Communicating to communities on difficult themes like sexuality and domestic violence” was also published and distributed. This report can also be downloaded in English, Italian and Portuguese versions from: http://www.aifo.it/english/resources/online/books/other/communication/index.htm

� English website: AIFO has an English section of its website designed and managed completely in house in the medical support office. Apart from books, manuals and documents related to leprosy, primary health care, community based rehabilitation, etc. the web site has the following specific sections: archives of leprosy mailing list managed by Dr Salvatore Noto (http://www.aifo.it/english/resources/online/lml-archives/index.htm ); from 2002 onwards all the issues of Asia Pacific Disability and Rehabilitation journal and other related publications of the APDRJ published from Bangalore India (http://www.aifo.it/english/resources/online/apdrj/journal.htm ); online courses on leprosy, community-based rehabilitation (CBR), Buruli ulcer, etc. http://www.aifo.it/english/resources/online/courses/online_courses.htm ).

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� Collaboration with Universities and students: The collaboration includes lessons on specific themes such as leprosy, tropical diseases, development, community-based rehabilitation, etc. as well as support to students for guidance, literature search, field visits, organisation of data collection, etc. for the preparation of undergraduate and post-graduate level thesis.

� Documentation centre at AIFO office: AIFO has a documentation centre that

is open to students and researchers. This centre provides access to books, journals, audio-visual materials, etc. related to leprosy, community based rehabilitation, WHO publications, etc.

2. ACTIVITIES IN ITALY

“The problem of North-South relations is not that the South does not have words, but that the North does not have ears” (A partner in Kenya)

2.1. INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS

2.1.1. NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES OF DELEGATE MEMBERS

The General National Assemblies of AIFO in 2006 were held on 10-11 June in Frascati and on 25-26 November in Rome.

2.1.2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AIFO

The Board of Directors of AIFO is composed of following members: Aprile Dino, Colizzi Francesco (Presidente), Gravina Luigi (Vicepresidente), Minotti Emanuela (Vicepresidente), Lanfaloni Maria Assunta, Pupulin Enrico, Vassallo Giovanni.

2.1.3. REGIONAL COORDINATIONS OF AIFO

There are 10 Regional Coordination s of AIFO in Italy. There were 4 meetings during 2006 between the Board of Directors and Regional Coordinators on 14 May (Rome), 10 June (Frascati), 14-15 October (Bologna) and 25 November (Rome).

2.1.4. WORKING GROUPS

AIFO’s Working Groups provide an opportunity to AIFO’s groups spread all over Italy to interact and provide their views on strategies of AIFO. Each Regional Coordination nominates a member to each Working Group, composed also by Board members and some staff members from the head-office of AIFO in Bologna. In 2006, there were six active Working Groups – Commercial Activities; Education & Training activities; Communication and Fund Raising; International Development Cooperation; Young members of AIFO; and, collecting and sending materials to projects.

2.1.5. AIFO MEMBERS & GROUPS

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At the end of 2006, there were 52 official groups of AIFO with a total of 882 registered members. The groups are spread all over Italy including in the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The groups are subdivided in to 10 regions, each with its own regional coordination. Each group has a reference person (group leader) and can send delegates to General Assembly in proportion to its number of registered members. Around 60% of group reference persons are women. 2.2. DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Development education means activities for information, awareness raising and education of general public on themes of justice, north-south relations, development, poverty, etc. AIFO promotes different initiatives of development education that ask for an individual engagement, acceptance of opening oneself to others, till “others” can be recognised as persons, bearing their own significant and meaningful cultural and historical notions that have their own dignity of expression. The aim of these development education initiatives to equip the persons with essential notions for living I today’s world, that is characterized by inter-dependence between peoples and rapid diffusion of economic, cultural and technological globalisation, through information on themes of inter-culture and a responsible global consciousness. This follows the inspiration of AIFO’s founder, the late French journalist Mr. Raoul Follereau who had called for a “civilisation of love”. The majority of development education activities promoted by AIFO are focused on schools through refresher courses for school teachers, thematic learning modules for students, twinning between Italian schools and schools in the developing countries where AIFO supports development projects. There are some activities aimed at more general public through initiatives such as summer camps for adults and families, learning visits to AIFO’s projects in developing countries, exhibitions, seminars, thematic meetings, etc. During 2006, the significant initiatives of development education including the following:

2.2.1. REFRESHER COURSES FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS

Two specific refresher courses for school teachers, recognised by Ministry of Education of Italy were organised in 2006:

• A course in the north-western city of Imperia, held from 23 February to 23 March 2006, titled “Not just words”.

• A course in the south-eastern city of Andria (BA), held from 23 February to 14 March 2006, titled “Negated Rights in South and Prospects for a Change”.

2.2.2. MEETINGS WITH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Meetings with school children are organised with all the different levels of schools in different cities where official AIFO groups are present. Often such meetings also involve other NGOs and institutions present locally. The methodology of intervention can vary from usual lecture kind of presentations to more interactive role plays, simulations,

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witnesses from persons coming from developing world, films, slides, etc. AIFO itself produces many of the audio-visual and learning materials used for such meetings. Some of the significant initiatives in 2006 involving school children included the following:

• Meeting on International cooperation in Salvemini technical & Professional institute in Casalecchio di Reno (BO) as part of the initiative “23 March, lessons of peace”.

• Lesson on “Disability & International Cooperation” at the course on Disability and Human Rights at University of Padova, on 20 March 2006.

• Lesson on “Health & Participation – example from Community-based rehabilitation” during the module on Global Health, organised by Department of Medicine and Public Health of Bologna University, on 21 March 2006.

• Two meetings on “models of micro-development and autonomous growth in developing countries – example of Grameen Bank” for students of science high school Amoretti and Cassini high school, in Sanremo on 27 & 28 March 2006.

• Lesson on “Role of anthropology in development cooperation” for students of anthropology at Bologna University on 18 April 2006.

• Meeting with students of Institute of Communication Sciences of Barberigo of Montefiascone (VT) on international cooperation, on 26 May 2006.

• Meeting with students of Giulio Cesare high school on “Forgotten diseases – challenges” in Rome, on 27 May 2006.

• Lesson on “role of third sector in economy” for students of economy at University of Florence on 27 October 2006.

• Lesson on “How to face risk – health information for a safe experience in a project” as part of module on “Upside down world – adding value to your experience in a developing country” at department of Medicine and Public Health at Bologna University, on 14 December 2006.

2.2.3. PROJECTS OF INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION • School competition “On the wings of Peace” for primary and middle school students,

Castelvetrano (TP), January 2006. • Inter-cultural learning module on the theme, “Immigration and relationships with

different cultures” for higher secondary school children, Andria (BA), January-June 2006.

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• Inter-cultural learning module on “Negated human rights of children” for students of primary schools, Andria (BA), September-December 2006.

• Inter-cultural learning module on the theme, “Fight against poverty and right to health: Understanding and working with the world of international cooperation” for students of high schools, Rome September-December 2006.

• Learning module on interdependent world on the theme “Travels in South of the World” for students of high schools, Rome, January-April 2006.

• Learning module on interdependent world on the theme “I wish a world shaped like a heart” for the students of primary schools, Chioggia (VE), January-May 2006.

• As part of the initiative “Down the hands from children”, a series of meetings in schools and diocese of Padova province, Due Carrare (PD), May-June 2006.

In addition, regular support is provided to teachers and educators through a column on inter-cultural education in AIFO’s monthly magazine Amici dei Lebbrosi. This column provides information about teaching instruments, suggested modules of teaching and exchange of experiences on the theme.

2.2.4. TWINNING

As part of educational activities, school children have the possibility to make direct contact with other cultures by twinning experiences with schools in the countries where AIFO supports development projects. Twinning experiences are used to share stories and experiences about daily lives of the students. During 2006, the following twinning experiences were carried out:

• Saint Joseph’s School Manikbond (Assam – India) with high school of “G. Chiarini – C. De Lollis”, Chieti;

• Nayee Asha School (Uttar Pradesh - India) with Primary school of Dolceacqua (IM); • Fath Academy School, Korogocho (Kenia) with 3° teaching circle of Vasto (CH); • Scuola di Gardnerville (Liberia) with “Don Aldo Mei” Institute of San Leonardo in

Treponzio (LU). 2.2.5. EXHIBITIONS • Abunté, exhibition of African Handicraft objects was held by Saveriani Missionaries in

Brescia from 8 November 2006 to 16 January 2007, as part of the initiative “Unmasking Africa”.

• Mongolia exhibition was organised in Cengio by the AIFO’s Regional Coordination in Liguria on 12 November 2006.

2.2.6. INTERNSHIP

During the year, AIFO provides opportunities of internship to school and university students, especially from Bologna city and neighbouring places. During 2006, internships included seven students of Leonardo da Vinci school and five students of Laura Bassi school. 2.3. TRAINING ACTIVITIES

During the year, in collaboration with groups in Italy and with partners in developing countries, AIFO organises a number of training activities that include seminars,

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workshops, formal training courses, summer camps, meetings, study visits to projects, etc. These activities reached thousands of persons in 2006. Some of the more significant training activities included the following: presentation of the prize winning AIFO documentary “India – the big sister” made by a journalist from Italian state TV RAI, Mr. Filippo Vendemmiati in 12 different cities of Italy; lessons for medical students on issues of tropical diseases, leprosy, global health, development, etc. in universities of Bologna, Florence, Pavia, Brescia, etc.; meeting on Women with Disability & Sexuality in collaboration with WHO (World Health Organisation) and DPI (Disabled Peoples International); international conference on Family & Citizenship organised by Veneto region of Italy; organisation of a series of meetings in different cities on promotion of inclusion as part of a European joint project on “Mainstreaming of Disability in European Co-operation policies”; international woman of the year award (Soroptimist award) by Valle d’Aosta region of Italy for Ms. Sarmila Shrestha from WATCH Nepal; south Asian regional meeting on traditional medicine in Bangalore (India) in collaboration with Italian NGO called COE and Italian Foreign Ministry; 5 training weekends for regional coordinators of AIFO; summer camp course for adults and families on voluntarism; orientation course for future volunteers in developing countries, in collaboration with two other Italian NGOs, CEFA and Amici dei Popoli; and, study visits in Mongolia and India. 2.4. DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION PROJECTS PRESENTED TO ITALIAN

FOREIGN MINISTRY OR EUROPEAN UNION Development education projects that concluded in 2006 or are on-going included the following – first festival of international development cooperation, in collaboration with other NGOs of Emilia Romagna region; Mainstreaming of Disability in Development Cooperation, jointly with Light of the World (Austria), co-funded by European Union; Traditional Medicine for reaching the goal of Health for All in collaboration with COE (Italy), co-funded by Italian Foreign Ministry; Millennium Development goals and decentralised cooperation, in collaboration with CESTAS (Italy), co-funded by Italian Foreign Ministry. 2.4.2. PRODUCTION OF NEW BOOKS & AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS AIFO regularly produces books, printed materials, exhibitions, audio-visuals, etc. Most of this material is in Italian, however some specific materials for developing countries are also produced. Some of the more significant materials produced during 2006 included the following: publication of the bilingual book in English and Italian, “Mahila – stories of women from Nepal” as part of EU funded project in Nepal; a learning module for school children “This world is for all of us”; an interactive multi-media exhibition, “Giving back childhood” on rights of children; a DVD about the biannual conference of AIFO held in October 2005.

3. COMMUNICATION & ITS INSTRUMENTS Communication is a key aspect of AIFO’s activities. Different instruments of communication produced by AIFO include the following: monthly magazine in Italian Amici dei Lebbrosi printed in 60,000 copies each month; newsletter AF Informazioni for groups and active members in the field; website www.aifo.it updated daily; electronic newsletter AIFO News sent to about 700 addresses twice a month.

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Some specific communication events include the campaign on world leprosy day (WLD) in January each other. Over the past few years WLD is celebrated by sale of honey in city squares, under the initiative called “solidarity honey”. In January 2006, more than 3,000 volunteers were mobilised to make WLD stands in 720 city squares. Another specific initiative lined to WLD was organisation of the tour of African Footsteps involving a dance and music group of composed of disabled persons from Ghana. Partners from five countries in Africa were invited to Italy in January 2006 to speak in meetings and workshops as testimonials of the projects supported by AIFO.

4. FUND COLLECTION AIFO has a data base of about 270,000 persons/bodies from which around 25,000 were donors active in 2006 including individuals, families, diocese, etc.

Many of the events related to WLD mentioned above under communication had key importance for fund-raising of AIFO. Other fund-raising activities included three campaigns of direct mailing. To find new donors a folder was distributed to the readers of a weekly magazine called Famiglia Cristiana. Thirteen AIFO groups collaborated for another campaign called Giving back Childhood. For Christmas, persons are invited to contribute for AIFO’s projects.

As far as fund collection from commercial enterprises is concerned, AIFO has its guidelines for working with private companies, approved by its General Assembly in 2004 after three years of discussions. Thus AIFO’s fund collection from commercial companies is very recent and during 2006, contributions were accepted from the following Italian companies – Fratelli Carli – Linea Mediterranea, company based in city of Imperia, is involved in production of olive oil, tuna fish, vinegar, vines and natural cosmetics and is supporting AIFO’s work in Mozambique; & Telecom Spa, based in Puglia region is involved in production of thermoplastic materials.

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AIFO Annual Balance 2006 ACTIVE 2006 2005 PASSIVE 2006 2005

FIXED ASSETS NET PATRIMONY Non Tangible Assets Free Patrimony Concessions, licences, rights 8.029 13.059 Available fund 20.518 97.453 Tangible Assets Bound patrimony Land & Building 473.901 495.332 Patrimony for projects 2.787.740 3.640.406 Equipment etc. 44.877 54.420 Bound reserve 1.142.602 1.200.000 Other assets 12.992 17.666 Total net patrimony 3.950.860 4.937.859 Financial Investments Participations 8.041 8.041 Risk fund and costs Bank titles as guarantee 492.738 801.588 Misc. fund 233.669 150.000 Risk fund project accounting 156.854 129.972 Total Assets 1.040.578 1.390.106 Total risk fund and costs 390.523 279.972 CURRENT ASSETS Final residuals Staff social fund 388.606 411.846 Promotional materials 56.538 10.478 Debts Short-term credits projects Suppliers 166.120 118.513 Credits from other associations 596.710 691.051 Other debts 135.591 131.394 Credit from It. Foreign Ministry 856.827 695.797 Debts towards providence inst. 47.913 51.107 Credit from Intern. bodies 298.442 547.104 Tax debts 41.331 43.623 Credit from local bodies 69.087 75.386 Total debts 390.955 344.637 Long term credits projects Credits from other associations 0 65.548 Passive carryovers 1.376.292 2.542.473 Credits from Intern. bodies 238.000 746.228 Total passives 2.546.376 3.578.928 Credits from EU 0 254.134 TOTAL PASSIVE & NET

PATRIMONY 6.497.236 8.516.787

Other credits Credits on donations 166.172 85.146 Other credits 23.581 26.868 Order accounts Funds to be sent to projects 4.173.165 6.215.508 Testaments Funds for Dev Edu. (short) 98.400 - Testaments and mat. donation 1.425.583 1.542.232 Titles for bank guarantee 492.738 500.000 Non fixed financial activities Total order accounts 4.764.303 6.715.508 Investments 1.037.769 1.687.670 Available cash Cash box 46.502 49.383 Bank & post 636.736 630.456 Total circulating income 5.451.947 7.107.481 Carry overs 4.711 19.200 TOTAL ACTIVE 6.497.236 8.516.787

Annual balance 2006 certified by Price Waterhouse & Cooper